As a licensed and accredited veterinarian, positions are expected to work independently and exercise independent judgment and decision-making to perform specialized work related to public and animal health within an assigned geographic area. Positions promote animal and public health through disease detection and diagnosis, analysis, control, eradication, and prevention. Positions apply animal disease traceability to quickly contain and eradicate disease and support secure food supply plans and permitting to allow for continuity of business, and work in the field conducting surveillance and investigations, responding to disease outbreaks and enforcing animal health regulations.

Maintains detailed records regarding disease investigations, inspections and special projects;

Conducts necropsy procedures and collection of samples;

May supervise or direct work of veterinary specialists or other staff;

Prepares detailed reports and budgets; manages assigned cooperative agreements;

Writes detailed reports, disease situation reports (sitreps) and analyzes data;

Develops and revises disease containment plans on farms, and inspects procedures to safely and securely handle animals exposed to contagious diseases and properly issues hold orders, quarantines, or release of animals with disease risks;

Inspects animals for evidence of disease conditions, assesses health status, diagnoses clinical symptoms of suspect animals; completes detailed reports on all investigations;

Inspects animals, facilities, and records for compliance with state and federal laws related to animal health and welfare;

Performs zoonotic investigations and work with public health entities to solve the issue;

Performs assigned inspections of feedlots, auction markets, garbage feeding operations and National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) premises; completes detailed reports on all investigations;

Completes on farm enhanced biosecurity plan auditing and approvals to comply with secure food supply permitting standards;

Collaborates with local, state, and federal officials with similar responsibilities involving the oversight of animal health, traceability, and welfare;

Evaluates animal operations that are experiencing herd or flock disease problems to determine solutions needed to adjust veterinary medical or program procedures;

Follows up on cases of reportable diseases (state, federal, and global reportable diseases; new or emerging diseases; and diseases with public health significance);

Engages and develops education and outreach opportunities, tabletop exercises, functional field exercises, and communication with stakeholders;

Develops or reviews emergency response plans, foreign animal disease response plans, secure food supply plans or permitting processes to allow for continuity of business during an outbreak;

Acts as lead and provides support for USDA APHIS program diseases and cooperative agreement work plans acquired by the department;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: livestock and the livestock industry; incident command system; development of contracts or federal cooperative agreements; managing budgets; supervisory and management practices; effective written and oral communication; city, county, state and federal animal health laws; animal health protocols, surgical procedures and animal health issues; regulatory medicine; veterinary diagnostics of diseases of animals, including livestock and poultry; epidemiology procedures.

Ability to: handle livestock and poultry in a safe manner; follow safety procedures; observe and make assessments; use scientific and diagnostic instrumentation; conduct epidemiological investigations; collect blood, feces, urine or tissue samples from multiple species; exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, standing, walking and carrying objects and animals of moderate weight; move or relocate up to 50 pounds without assistance and heavier amounts with assistance; potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics and sharp objects.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry in the state of Washington.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and two years’ experience in practice of agricultural animal veterinary medicine.

New classification: Field Veterinarian, class code: 545A; adopted June 22, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.